INTRODUCTION: An argumentative
paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific
evidence. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience
that your claim is true based on the evidence you provide to support your side
of the argument. Your argument will
include convincing evidence to support your side, but you also will offer
reasonable points to an opposing argument.
This is known as a concession.TASK:Write a 2-4 page essay that is typed, double-spaced, #12 pt Times New Roman or Arial Font with 1 inch
margins. In your essay, you are going to
argue and prove: WHICH CHARACTER IS MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF ROMEO AND JULIET?To do this, you need to come up with a reasonable person or thing that you think the blame can be traced back to.
You must do some investigating and discover the roots that
laid the foundation for them to commit suicide.
Think about what had to happen, what series of events had to take place,
in order for Romeo and Juliet to end their lives. Make a choice. Keep in mind that there are many different
approaches you can take. There is no
right or wrong answer here. Rather,
there are well supported arguments and poorly supported arguments. Trace your
character’s actions through the play.
Come up with THREE good reasons why the person or thing you pick is to
blame – either character traits, specific actions he/she took, etc. Use quotations from the play that are
relevant and present them in a logical order.
In addition to your main argument, you MUSThave a concession in your
paper. This is where you explain that a
different person might have played a significant role in the deaths of Romeo
and Juliet. Adding concessions to your argument usually adds believability to your claims. Concessions use words likeeven though, admittedly, while it is true
that, some may argue that…; however, this is not the case, granted, etc. SAMPLE OUTLINE CONTINUED:

Assignment: Romeo and Juliet Argumentative Essay

While some believe that ______________ is responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s death, this is not the case. Upon further investigation _____________should receive the blame. Admittedly, ______has a large influence on Romeo and Juliet’s death because___________________________________________________________________________________________________________But, (your first piece of evidence in support of your argument here) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________(Provide support/evidence. Refer back to the play. Why is this person responsible?). ______________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Transition into your second piece of evidence here) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Quotations from the play can really help to support your argument!)___________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Additionally and perhaps most notably, (transition into your third piece of evidence here. This should be your strongestargument)_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Now, write your concluding paragraph. You should restate your thesis statement here, but do not repeat it word for word.) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________(Conclude your paper with a thoughtful but more general statement about William Shakespeare or his play, Romeo and Juliet.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

GRADING:

_____ / 20 Thesis Statement: Does your thesis statement answer the question: Who is responsible for the deaths or Romeo and Juliet? Is it the last sentence in your introductory paragraph?

_____ / 15 Organization: Do your body paragraphs have topic sentences that refer back to your thesis statement? Do your paragraphs make sense? Is your strongest argument in your final body paragraph?

_____ / 20 Specific Evidence: Do your body paragraphs have adequate support from the play? Do you provide enough details about your choice? Did you use quotations from the play as support?

______ / 10 Concession: Did you include a concession in the beginning of your paper? Did you give an opposing view and address why your argument is more logical?

A critical component of the research process for students to learn is how to reference and cite the many different types of information they collect online. Sources may include publications, directories, databases, reference materials (i.e., online dictionaries and encyclopedias), discussions, newsgroups, chats, emails, protocols (i.e., FTP, Telnet, and Gopher), software programs, and online games.____________________________________________________________________________________ In-Text Citations: The Basics

Guidelines for referring to the works of others in your text using MLA style is covered in chapter six of the MLA Handbook and in chapter seven of the MLA Style Manual. Both books provide extensive examples, so it's a good idea to consult them if you want to become even more familiar with MLA guidelines or if you have a particular reference question.

Basic In-Text Citation Rules

In MLA style, referring to the works of others in your text is done by using what's known as parenthetical citation. Immediately following a quotation from a source or a paraphrase of a source's ideas, you place the author's name followed by a space and the relevant page number(s).

Human beings have been described as "symbol-using animals" (Burke 3).

When a source has no known author, use a shortened title of the work instead of an author name. Place the title in quotation marks if it's a short work, or italicize or underline it if it's a longer work.

Your in-text citation will correspond with an entry in your Works Cited page, which, for the Burke citation above, will look something like this:

It's important to know that parenthetical citations and Works Cited pages allow readers to know which sources you consulted in writing your essay, so that they can either verify your interpretation of the sources or use them in their own scholarly work.

Multiple Citations

To cite multiple sources in the same parenthetical reference, separate the citations by a semi-colon:

...as has been discussed elsewhere (Burke 3; Dewey 21). When Citation is not Needed Common sense and ethics should determine your need for documenting sources. You do not need to give sources for familiar proverbs, well-known quotations or common knowledge. Remember, this is a rhetorical choice, based on audience. If you're writing for an expert audience of a scholarly journal, they'll have different expectations of what constitutes common knowledge.

MLA In-Text Parenthetical Citations Examples

Single author named in parentheses.

The tendency to come to terms with difficult experiences is referred to as a "purification process" whereby "threatening or painful dissonances are warded off to preserve intact a clear and articulated image of oneself and one’s place in the world" (Sennett 11).

Single author named in a signal phrase.

Social historian Richard Sennett names the tendency to come to terms with difficult experiences a "purification process" whereby "threatening or painful dissonances are warded off to preserve intact a clear and articulated image of oneself and one’s place in the world" (11).

Two or more authors.

Certain literacy theorists have gone so far as to declare that "the most significant elements of human culture are undoubtedly channeled through words, and reside in the particular range of meanings and attitudes which members of any society attach to their verbal symbols" (Goody and Watt 323).

Corporate author (organization, association, etc.).

The federal government has funded research concerning consumer protection and consumer transactions with online pharmacies (Food and Drug Administration 125).

Works with no author.

Several critics of the concept of the transparent society ask if a large society would be able to handle the complete loss of privacy ("Surveillance Society" 115).

Two or more works by the same author.

In his investigation of social identity, The Uses of Disorder, Sennett defines adulthood as a stage where people "learn to tolerate painful ambiguity and uncertainty" (108).

In a surprising move, Richard Sennett combines the idea of power with that of virtue: "the idea of strength is complex in ordinary life because of what might be called the element of its integrity" (Authority 19).

Work found in an anthology or edited collection.

For an essay, short story, or other document included in an anthology or edited collection, use the name of the author of the work, not the editor of the anthology or collection, but use the page numbers from the anthology or collection.

Lawrence Rosenfield analyzes the way in which New York’s Central Park held a socializing function for nineteenth-century residents similar to that of traditional republican civic oratory (222).

Bible passage.

Unfortunately, the president could not recall the truism that "Wisdom is a fountain to one who has it, but folly is the punishment of fools" (New Oxford Annotated Bible, Prov. 20-22).

Secondary source of a quotation (someone quoted within the text of another author).

As Erickson reminds us, the early psychoanalysts focused on a single objective: "introspective honesty in the service of self enlightenment" (qtd. in Weiland 42).

Web page.

Abraham Lincoln's birthplace was designated as a National Historical Site in 1959 (National Park Service).

Author’s Name: Reverse the author’s name (as it appears on the title page) for alphabetizing, adding a comma after the last name. Put a period after the complete last name.

Title: State the full title, including any subtitle. Place a period after the entire title. Underline or italicize the entire title (except the period that follows the title).

Publication Information: City of publication, publisher’s name, and year of publication. Use what is on the title page or copyright page. If more than one publisher or city is listed, use the first one. If more than one date is listed, use the latest one.) Use a colon (:) between the place of publication and the publisher, a comma (,) between the publisher and the date, and a period after the date.

Book – No Named Author:

Title of the Book. Publication information.

Handbook of Pre-Columbian Art. New York: Johnson, 1988.

Book – Single Author:

Author’s Name. Title of the Book. Publication information.

Baker, Russell P. Growing Up. New York: Signet, 1982.

Book – Multiple Authors:Give names in same order as on the title page. Reverse only the name of the first author, add a comma, and give the other name or names in normal form.

Meyer, Susan E. and Martim Avillez. How to Draw in Pen and Ink. New York: Collier-Macmillan, 1985.

Book With Editor or Compiler:

Editor, ed. Or Compiler, comp. Title of Book. Publication information.

Introduction, Preface, Forward, or Afterward:Name of the author of the part. Name of the part (Preface, Forward, etc.). The title of the book. The Author of the work (in normal order). Publication information.

Single Work From an Anthology:Add the following to the basic book entry: Author, Title of the part or article." Title of the Whole. Vol #. Editor of the Whole. Place of Publication: Publisher, date. Page number(s).

Musical or Sound Recording:Note: if you are not using a compact disc, indicate the medium, neither underline nor enclosed in quotation marks, before the manufacturer’s name: Audiocassette, LP (long playing record).Performer. "Title of the piece." Title of the recording. The manufacturer, The year of issue.

Photograph or Illustration From a Book or Other Print Source:Artist’s name (if known). Title or description of piece. Descriptive label (Photograph, Illustration). Page number in Title of Source. By Author (in normal order). Publication Information.

Guidelines for referring to the works of others in your text using MLA style is covered in chapter six of the MLA Handbook and in chapter seven of the MLA Style Manual. Both books provide extensive examples, so it's a good idea to consult them if you want to become even more familiar with MLA guidelines or if you have a particular reference question.Basic In-Text Citation Rules

In MLA style, referring to the works of others in your text is done by using what's known as parenthetical citation. Immediately following a quotation from a source or a paraphrase of a source's ideas, you place the author's name followed by a space and the relevant page number(s).

Human beings have been described as "symbol-using animals" (Burke 3).

When a source has no known author, use a shortened title of the work instead of an author name. Place the title in quotation marks if it's a short work, or italicize or underline it if it's a longer work.

Your in-text citation will correspond with an entry in your Works Cited page, which, for the Burke citation above, will look something like this:

It's important to know that parenthetical citations and Works Cited pages allow readers to know which sources you consulted in writing your essay, so that they can either verify your interpretation of the sources or use them in their own scholarly work.Multiple Citations

To cite multiple sources in the same parenthetical reference, separate the citations by a semi-colon:

...as has been discussed elsewhere (Burke 3; Dewey 21). When Citation is not Needed Common sense and ethics should determine your need for documenting sources. You do not need to give sources for familiar proverbs, well-known quotations or common knowledge. Remember, this is a rhetorical choice, based on audience. If you're writing for an expert audience of a scholarly journal, they'll have different expectations of what constitutes common knowledge.MLA In-Text Parenthetical Citations ExamplesSingle author named in parentheses.

The tendency to come to terms with difficult experiences is referred to as a "purification process" whereby "threatening or painful dissonances are warded off to preserve intact a clear and articulated image of oneself and one’s place in the world" (Sennett 11).

Single author named in a signal phrase.

Social historian Richard Sennett names the tendency to come to terms with difficult experiences a "purification process" whereby "threatening or painful dissonances are warded off to preserve intact a clear and articulated image of oneself and one’s place in the world" (11).

Two or more authors.

Certain literacy theorists have gone so far as to declare that "the most significant elements of human culture are undoubtedly channeled through words, and reside in the particular range of meanings and attitudes which members of any society attach to their verbal symbols" (Goody and Watt 323).

Corporate author (organization, association, etc.).

The federal government has funded research concerning consumer protection and consumer transactions with online pharmacies (Food and Drug Administration 125).

Works with no author.

Several critics of the concept of the transparent society ask if a large society would be able to handle the complete loss of privacy ("Surveillance Society" 115).

Two or more works by the same author.

In his investigation of social identity, The Uses of Disorder, Sennett defines adulthood as a stage where people "learn to tolerate painful ambiguity and uncertainty" (108).

In a surprising move, Richard Sennett combines the idea of power with that of virtue: "the idea of strength is complex in ordinary life because of what might be called the element of its integrity" (Authority 19).

Work found in an anthology or edited collection.

For an essay, short story, or other document included in an anthology or edited collection, use the name of the author of the work, not the editor of the anthology or collection, but use the page numbers from the anthology or collection.

Lawrence Rosenfield analyzes the way in which New York’s Central Park held a socializing function for nineteenth-century residents similar to that of traditional republican civic oratory (222).

Bible passage.

Unfortunately, the president could not recall the truism that "Wisdom is a fountain to one who has it, but folly is the punishment of fools" (New Oxford Annotated Bible, Prov. 20-22).Secondary source of a quotation (someone quoted within the text of another author).

As Erickson reminds us, the early psychoanalysts focused on a single objective: "introspective honesty in the service of self enlightenment" (qtd. in Weiland 42).

Web page.

Abraham Lincoln's birthplace was designated as a National Historical Site in 1959 (National Park Service).

Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men Five Paragraph Persuasive EssayAuthor John
Steinbeck makes a clear connection between Lennie Smalls and Candy’s old dog in
his novella, Of Mice and Men. Eventually, both become a
burden to their caretakers and the others around them. Both meet their deaths
in similar ways. The events surrounding Candy’s dog not only foreshadow
Lennie’s undoing, but also allow Steinbeck to comment on the cruelty shown to
things that are not seen as worth while. While many of the story’s stronger
characters prey on the weaker ones, there is one individual who is exploited
and mistreated more than any of the others. Write a 5-paragraph persuasive essay arguing which character from Steinbeck’s OfMice & Men has suffered the most.Final typed
Draft due the day of your Final ExamJan.
28, 29 or 30th

You can select from any of the following characters
that appear in the story. Choose only one!

George, Lennie, Candy, Curley’s
wife, Crooks

Make sure to use evidence from the story to support
your argument.

Purpose: The purpose of this
essay is to persuade your audience to agree with your position on a
controversial subject.Audience: Your audience is
any adolescent or adult who has read the book.
You may assume your audience knows the book’s plot and characters,
though a brief, focused review of any specific events you will be discussing is
required to give your essay context.
Always keep in mind that although your audience is anybody who can read Of
Mice and Men, the evaluator is your English teacher, so your level of
diction, depth, and sentence style should meet academic standards. Except where you attempt to use logic or emotional
reasoning, do not use second person pronouns (you, your, yours, thee, thou) avoid overuse of first person pronouns
(I, me, my, mine, we, our, ours, we and us.)Organization: Your essay will be
organized in traditional, five paragraph persuasive form. You will have an introduction that gives the
essay context and ends with a two-part thesis, three support paragraphs (major
supports) that have at least two minor supports each, are connected by
effective transitions, and are ordered from weakest to strongest, and a
conclusion that restates your thesis and gives the essay relevance.Support: Support for your
position comes from you and from quotations you take from the book. No outside research is required, but if you
find it useful, feel free to use some. Whenever
possible, use a relevant quotation from the book to serve as evidence that that
paragraph’s topic is justified or as an illustrative example to make your point.Format: As always, your
paper should be formatted in proper style.
Typed, Double Spaced, #12 Arial or Times New Roman Font only,
1" MarginsEssay
Planning: Use the
graphic organizer below to plan your essay.What is my
opinion?It is my opinion that __________________ is the character that suffered the most in John Steinbeck’s OfMice & Men.

George, Lennie, Candy, Curley’s wife, Crooks

Why do I believe this? (It’s important to have at least three reasons here!)1. EXAMPLE- GEORGE: Because George has had to alter his life style and make many sacrifices due to Lennie's unpredictible and child like behavior.

2.

3.

What examples from the book could I use with my reasons to help support my opinion?(No need to quote here – just list them; you can find them later.)

1. EXAMPLE - GEORGE: He has been taking care of Lennie for a very long time because he made a promise to Lennie's Aunt Clara to watch after him. Geroge has given up many freedoms to accomodate Lennie. He is unable to keep a job and must move around from place to place looking for new work because of Lennie's unpredictable nature.

My thesis:EXAMPLE: John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" demonstrates the cruelty shown to things that are not seen as worth while. While many of the story’s stronger characters prey on the weaker ones, there is one individual who is exploited and mistreated more than any of the others.State character's name

Support #1 – the weakest of your three points:

George is ultimately the one who is responsible for Lennie's deathQuotation support:

Slim came directly to George and sat down beside him, sat very close to him. "Never you mind," said Slim. "A guy got to sometimes." (6.96)(He's essentially absolving George of the sin of murder here, saying that it was the right--i.e., the just—thing to do.)"She slang her pups last night," said Slim. "Nine of ‘em. I drowned four of ‘em right off. She couldn’t feed that many." (2.186) (Slim doesn't sentimentalize the natural world. He knows that the dog can't nurse nine puppies, so he kills five of them to save the others. There's no moral lesson here, unless it's that "A guy got to sometimes.")

Support #2 – the 2nd best of your three points:

George has made sacrifices for Lennie most of his life. He has had to suffer the consequences for Lennie's actions.

Quotation support:"Well, we ain't got any," George exploded. "Whatever we ain't got, that's what you want. God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an' work, an' no trouble. No mess at all, and when the end of the month come I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I want. Why, I could stay in a cathouse all night. I could eat any place I want, hotel or any place, and order any damn thing I could think of. An' I could do all that every damn month. Get a gallon of whisky, or set in a pool room and play cards or shoot pool." Lennie knelt and looked over the fire at the angry George. And Lennie's face was drawn in with terror. "An' whatta I got," George went on furiously. "I got you! You can't keep a job and you lose me ever' job I get. Jus' keep me shovin' all over the country all the time." (1.89)

Support #3 – the best of your three points: George has been unable to follow his dreams because Lennie is such a huge burdenQuotation support:"And it'd be our own, an' nobody could can us. If we don't like a guy we can say, 'Get the hell out,' and by God he's got to do it. An' if a fren' come along, why we'd have an extra bunk, an' we'd say, 'Why don't you spen' the night?' An' by God he would." (3.209)"For two bits I'd shove out of here. If we can get jus' a few dollars in the poke we'll shove off and go up the American River and pan gold. We can make maybe a couple of dollars a day there, and we might hit a pocket." (2.166)---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Essay Configuration: Use the graphic organizer below to create the Rough Draft of your essay.

Paragraph 1: Introduction

*Start with an attention-getter like a rhetorical question, dialogue, flashback, description of how readers respond to the book, a shocking generalization, etc. that is relevant to the topic.

*Then, mention the author’s full name (John Steinbeck), the underlined title of the story (Of Mice and Men), and a brief plot summary that serves to focus your paper on which character from the story has suffered the most.

Charles Darwin is often credited with coining the phrase - "the survival of the fittest." Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" explores this concept and demonstrates the cruelty shown to things that are not seen as worth while. While many of the story’s stronger characters prey on the weaker ones, there is one individual who is exploited and mistreated more than any of the others. State character's name and give a brief description of their situation. *Finally, end with your two-part thesis: your position and three reasons why you are correct about the character that you selected. Make sure it doesn’t sound “tacked on.” Make it flow.

Restate the one individual who has suffered the most and give your reasons (3)

George is ultimately the one who is responsible for Lennie's death

George has made sacrifices for Lennie most of his life. He has had to suffer the consequences for Lennie's actions.

George has been unable to follow his dreams because Lennie is such a huge burden

Charles Darwin is often credited with coining the phrase - "the survival of the fittest."My plot summary with mention of book and author:

Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" explores this concept and demonstrates the cruelty shown to things that are not seen as worth while. While many of the story’s stronger characters prey on the weaker ones, there is one individual who is exploited and mistreated more than any of the others.State character's name and give a brief description of their situation.

My two-part thesis: George Milton is the one character in Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men"who has had to endure the most distress

George is ultimately the one who is responsible for Lennie's death

George has made sacrifices for Lennie most of his life. He has had to suffer the consequences for Lennie's actions.

George has been unable to follow his dreams because Lennie is such a huge burden

*Remember, this is all one paragraph!

Paragraph 2: First support paragraph – the weakest of your three points

*Start with your topic sentence (Major Support), which focuses your paragraph on one supporting idea. Notice that the topic sentence begins with a transition that indicates that your argument has started. (One reason, to begin, first of all, first…)

First of all, how might you feel if you had to live with the memory of killing your best friend?

*Develop your paragraph with minor supports, giving reasons why your point is correct and using a quotation from the book to support it, if possible. Notice that before the quotation, there is an introduction for the quote so the reader understands its context, and that after the quotation, there is an explanation of why the quote is relevant to the paragraph’s topic.

In John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, the main protagonist George Milton is tasked with eliminating his companion Lennie Smalls to prevent him from suffering at the hand of Curley. Clearly, George Milton has suffered more than any other character in the story. Continue explaining how Lennie's death will always haunt George Milton which will ultimately lead to his prolonged suffering. Provide evidence from the story, including a quote from the novel that helps support your argument that Lennie's death causes George long term stress.

*End by connecting your paragraph back to your thesis.

My Topic Sentence:

My reasoning supported with a quotation that I explain and connect to my thesis:

My paragraph conclusion that connects everything in this ¶ back to my thesis:

*Remember, this is all one paragraph!

Paragraph 3: Second support paragraph – the 2nd best of your three points

Now, just do it again with your second reason. Make sure that the topic sentence begins with a transition that creates coherence with your previous paragraph (next, in addition, similarly, another reason, along with that…).

My Topic Sentence:

My reasoning supported with a quotation that I explain and connect to my thesis:

My paragraph conclusion that connects everything in this ¶ back to my thesis:

*Remember, this is all one paragraph.

Paragraph 4: Third support paragraph – the strongest of your three points

And again with your third and best reason. Make sure that the topic sentence begins with a transition that creates coherence with your previous paragraph.

My Topic Sentence:

My reasoning supported with a quotation that I explain and connect to my thesis:

My paragraph conclusion that connects everything in this - back to my thesis:

*Remember, this is all one paragraph.

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

*Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis, usually without the second part of the two part thesis. You’ll add that after this first sentence. Two things to always remember in your conclusion:

1) Be absolutely sure you don’t just repeat the thesis you used in your introduction, and 2) Do not introduce any new information in your conclusion.

*Briefly remind the reader of why you are right by summarizing your arguments. Be sure to state these briefly and differently than in your original thesis or support paragraphs or you will sound redundant.

*End with the usual flair of the “So what?” conclusion. Tell the reader why they should care: give them something to think about, challenge them to do something in response to your paper, make a prediction, and connect them to your side of the argument.

1.0 Writing StrategiesStudents write coherent and focused essays that convey a well-defined perspective and tightly reasoned argument. The writing demonstrates students' awareness of the audience and purpose. Students progress through the stages of the writing process as needed.

Organization and Focus

1.1 Establish a controlling impression or coherent thesis that conveys a clear and distinctive perspective on the subject and maintain a consistent tone and focus throughout the piece of writing.

In his classic novel Fahrenheit 451, author Ray Bradbury created a futuristic society that burned books. The main character, Guy Montag, finds a group of men who have formed a loosely organized rebellion to save books. Their plan is to “keep the knowledge we think we will need.” The group saves books that represented “bits and pieces of history and literature and international law. Each man had a book he wanted to remember, and did.”For example, an old man who has memorized the novel The Call of the Wild helps a young boy memorize it by reciting the story to him. In this way, the book is saved for the future.

Directions:If you were told that you could save just three books for future generations, which books would you choose? Now put yourself in Guy Montag's place. Imagine that you have joined the wandering group of book lovers. Think of three (3) books you think would be worth saving from the fireman. These should be works you think would be of value to future civilizations, either for their ideas, their stories, their characters, their point of view.Prompt:

Write a Five - Paragraph Persuasive Essay in which you discuss which books you would choose to save for future generations and what it is about the books that make them important to save. Be sure to discuss in detail why the books are important to you and why it would be important to future generations.

Which books would you save from the flames? Which books do you remember best? Which books touched your soul, opened your mind, and changed the way you see the world?

If you lived in a society that burned books, which important books would you want to save from the fire?

The Works of William Shakespeare?The Holy Bible? A People's History of the World

F-451 MLA STYLE GUIDE

Guidelines for referring to the works of others in your text using MLA style is covered in chapter six of the MLA Handbook and in chapter seven of the MLA Style Manual. Both books provide extensive examples, so it's a good idea to consult them if you want to become even more familiar with MLA guidelines or if you have a particular reference question.Basic In-Text Citation Rules

In MLA style, referring to the works of others in your text is done by using what's known as parenthetical citation. Immediately following a quotation from a source or a paraphrase of a source's ideas, you place the author's name followed by a space and the relevant page number(s).

Human beings have been described as "symbol-using animals" (Burke 3).

When a source has no known author, use a shortened title of the work instead of an author name. Place the title in quotation marks if it's a short work, or italicize or underline it if it's a longer work.

Your in-text citation will correspond with an entry in your Works Cited page, which, for the Burke citation above, will look something like this:

It's important to know that parenthetical citations and Works Cited pages allow readers to know which sources you consulted in writing your essay, so that they can either verify your interpretation of the sources or use them in their own scholarly work.Multiple Citations

To cite multiple sources in the same parenthetical reference, separate the citations by a semi-colon:

...as has been discussed elsewhere (Burke 3; Dewey 21). When Citation is not Needed Common sense and ethics should determine your need for documenting sources. You do not need to give sources for familiar proverbs, well-known quotations or common knowledge. Remember, this is a rhetorical choice, based on audience. If you're writing for an expert audience of a scholarly journal, they'll have different expectations of what constitutes common knowledge.MLA In-Text Parenthetical Citations ExamplesSingle author named in parentheses.

The tendency to come to terms with difficult experiences is referred to as a "purification process" whereby "threatening or painful dissonances are warded off to preserve intact a clear and articulated image of oneself and one’s place in the world" (Sennett 11).

Single author named in a signal phrase.

Social historian Richard Sennett names the tendency to come to terms with difficult experiences a "purification process" whereby "threatening or painful dissonances are warded off to preserve intact a clear and articulated image of oneself and one’s place in the world" (11).

Two or more authors.

Certain literacy theorists have gone so far as to declare that "the most significant elements of human culture are undoubtedly channeled through words, and reside in the particular range of meanings and attitudes which members of any society attach to their verbal symbols" (Goody and Watt 323).

Corporate author (organization, association, etc.).

The federal government has funded research concerning consumer protection and consumer transactions with online pharmacies (Food and Drug Administration 125).

Works with no author.

Several critics of the concept of the transparent society ask if a large society would be able to handle the complete loss of privacy ("Surveillance Society" 115).

Two or more works by the same author.

In his investigation of social identity, The Uses of Disorder, Sennett defines adulthood as a stage where people "learn to tolerate painful ambiguity and uncertainty" (108).

In a surprising move, Richard Sennett combines the idea of power with that of virtue: "the idea of strength is complex in ordinary life because of what might be called the element of its integrity" (Authority 19).

Work found in an anthology or edited collection.

For an essay, short story, or other document included in an anthology or edited collection, use the name of the author of the work, not the editor of the anthology or collection, but use the page numbers from the anthology or collection.

Lawrence Rosenfield analyzes the way in which New York’s Central Park held a socializing function for nineteenth-century residents similar to that of traditional republican civic oratory (222).

Bible passage.

Unfortunately, the president could not recall the truism that "Wisdom is a fountain to one who has it, but folly is the punishment of fools" (New Oxford Annotated Bible, Prov. 20-22).Secondary source of a quotation (someone quoted within the text of another author).

As Erickson reminds us, the early psychoanalysts focused on a single objective: "introspective honesty in the service of self enlightenment" (qtd. in Weiland 42).

Web page.

Abraham Lincoln's birthplace was designated as a National Historical Site in 1959 (National Park Service).

TKAM ESSAY/RESEARCH PAPER - DISCRIMINATION, PREJUDICE & JIM CROW LAWS

Due on
the day of your English I (CP) Final ExamPeriods 5 & 6 - Tues, June 18, 2013 Period 2 - Wed, June 19, 2013Periods 3 & 4 - Thurs, June 20, 2013

100 Points

Please Note: Your research must be done
in advance. You will bring all research materials that you have collected with
you to class on the day of your final
exam at which time; you will compose your essay.

How would you like to know that your
country made a group of laws specific to one race? The Jim Crow Laws were laws
created after the Civil War that were directed toward African Americans.
Between 1865 and 1967, more than 420 state laws and constitutional amendments
were passed in the United States legalizing segregation and discrimination. You
can see some of this while reading Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird.
Many people in the town of Maycomb, Alabama frown upon the fact that Atticus
Finch is helping, Tom Robinson, a Black man, because of all the different Jim
Crow Laws. For example, Mrs. Dubose says the following to Atticus’s children,
“Not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse lawing for
[blacks]!” (TKAM page 101). Hence, Harper Lee’s famous novel teaches a valuable
lesson about racism to an age that was just beginning to move away from
segregation.

The Jim Crow Laws, caused lots of segregation throughout most of our country.
It also led to great disrespect of white men that were helping Black citizens
in our country. Basically the Jim Crow Laws were some of the most disrespectful
laws that our country has ever made. However, Jim Crow Laws aren’t the only
examples in history of selected groups of people being discriminated against
and deprived of their human rights.Assignment:5-Paragraph Essay- Research
Paper

Students
will research and provide a written report about a specific group of people who
had racist laws levied against them, therefore depriving their race of human
rights.

The research paper must be a minimum of two neatly printed pages with a works
cited page (three pages total) and a maximum of five.

Your research paper must contain concrete details and commentary. You must include
at least one quotationin your paper
and make references to the story To Kill
A Mockingbirdwhen comparing your findings on racism and discrimination to the novel. You must also follow MLA
guidelines for a research paper (See Holt Language and Literature Book Pages 610
– 631 for instructions and a guide to writing a research paper.)

Additional information to MLA
Guidelines can be found at the following web site:

How do they meet
the criteria for experiencing racism and discrimination?

What
geographical location did the racism and discrimination take place?

Who were the
perpetrators of the racism and discrimination?

What reasons
(excuses/justification) did the perpetrators use?

How did the
victims respond?

Did the racism
and discrimination ever stop or does it still
continue in some way today?

What can we do to prevent racism and discrimination in the future?

The following is a list of migrants who were deprived of their human rights by means of racist laws that were once widely accepted by the mainstream public. Select onegroup of people to base your research on. (If you don’t see the ethnicity that you want to report on listed below, please let your teacher know)

1. Jewish Immigrants - In the first half of 20th century, Jews were discriminated against in some employment, not allowed into some social clubs and resort areas, given a quota on enrollment at colleges, and not allowed to buy certain properties. Anti-Semitism reached its peak during the interwar period. The rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s, the anti-Semitic works of Henry Ford, and the radio speeches of Father Coughlin in the late 1930s indicated the strength of attacks on the Jewish community. The Nuremberg Laws of 1935 were anti-Semitic laws in Nazi Germany aimed at the Jewish Population

2. German-Americans - The Bennett Law was a highly controversial state law passed in Wisconsin in 1889, which required the use of English to teach major subjects in all public and private elementary and high schools. It affected the state's many German-language private schools (and some Norwegian schools), and was bitterly resented by German-American communities.

3. Latinos - Juan Crow Laws targeted undocumented immigrants in numerous areas, such as public benefits, employment, housing, public education and law enforcement. They also promote racial profiling against all Latinos, with or without legal status in the United States. Attacks on Latinos have a particularly long history in California and throughout the Southwest where, during recurring periods of strong anti-immigrant sentiment, both new immigrants and long-time U.S. citizens of Mexican descent were blamed for social and economic problems and harassed and deported en masse. Examples: The Greaser Act was an anti-Mexican law enacted in 1855 in California, Mexican Repatriation (1929-1939) and Operation "Wetback" of 1954.

4. Asian Immigrants - Between 1850 and 1930, about one million Asians from China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and India came to the United States. But by the second half of the 19th Century a backlash had developed; Asian immigrants and the assimilation of Asians into society was said to pose, "the greatest threat to Western civilization and the White Race" and increasingly restrictive laws were passed; first to keep Asians out of the skilled trades, then to restrict further immigration, and later to end all Asian immigration. Examples: The Chinese Exclusion Act passed in 1882 barred Chinese laborers from entering the USA. The Magnuson Act, The Anti-Coolie Act, The Page Act of 1875, The Scott Act (1888), The Geary Act of 1892, and Anti-Miscegenation Laws (Inter-racial Marriage Laws) Japanese Immigrants - Bias against Asian Pacific Americans is also long-standing. The Gentlemen's Agreement of 1907 (Nichibei Shinshi Kyōyaku) was an informal agreement between the United States and the Empire of Japan whereby the U.S. would not impose restriction on Japanese immigration or students, and Japan would not allow further emigration to the U.S. Anti-Chinese sentiment motivated American entrepreneurs to recruit Japanese laborers. As the Japanese population in California grew they were seen with suspicion of being an entering wedge by Japan. By 1905, anti-Japanese rhetoric filled the pages of the San Francisco Chronicle. By 1942, about 110,000 people of Japanese heritage who lived on the Pacific coast were seen as enemy combatants and stripped of their civil rights. They were put into internment camps or war relocation camps until 1945.

5. Middle Easterners - People of Arab descent are experiencing an upsurge in hate crimes, which include murder, beatings and an attack on Islam, largely as a result of Middle East crises and September 11th. Often they are blamed for incidents to which they have no connection. The November 1979 Iranian hostage crisis of the U.S. embassy in Tehran precipitated a wave of anti-Iranian sentiment in the United States, directed both against the new Islamic regime and Iranian nationals and immigrants. Even though such sentiments gradually declined after the release of the hostages at the start of 1981, they sometimes flare up. In response, some Iranian immigrants to the U.S. have distanced themselves from their nationality and instead identify primarily on the basis of their ethnic or religious affiliations. Since the 1980s, Hollywood's depiction of Iranians has gradually shown signs of vilifying Iranians. In addition, the USA’s War on Terror has labeled many Muslims as enemy combatants as depicted in some recent films.

6. Native Americans, who have lived on the North American continent for at least 10,000 years, had an enormously complex impact on American history and racial relations. During the colonial and independent periods, a long series of conflicts were waged, with the primary objective of obtaining resources of Native Americans. Through wars, massacres, forced displacement (The Indian Removal Act of 1830) and the imposition of treaties, land was taken and numerous hardships imposed. U.S. Government Suppression of Native-American Religion. Residential School Systems - Indian Schools (1879-1900s), Dawes General Allotment Act of 1887, Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, Indian Termination Policy, and Anti-Miscegenation Laws (Inter-racial Marriage Laws)

7. African Americans - The Black Codes (1860s) These were laws passed on the state and local level in the United States, but mostly in the south, to limit the basic human rights and civil liberties of blacks. Examples: Convict Lease System (1883-1910), In Plessy v. Ferguson, U.S. Supreme Court rules that "separate but equal" treatment for blacks and whites under the law is constitutional, thus institutionalizing Jim Crow laws keeping the races apart in public facilities. The Day Law (1904), Anti-Miscegenation Laws (Inter-racial Marriage Laws) and Literacy Tests for Voting

Discrimination and prejudice were very common acts in the early and middle 1900's.

Prejudice in TKAM is displayed by the acts of hate and misunderstanding because of someone's color. During this time in

the southern states, black people had to use separate bathrooms, drinking fountains, sections in restaurants, churches, and

even go to separate schools. Although much of the discrimination was directed towards blacks, there were plenty of

accounts towards impoverished families by those that had money. Discrimination is prevalent when people that are

different are called names. Some people thought blacks were automatically dumb because of their color. They weren't

allowed to do anything but menial tasks (such as chopping wood) and hard labor because they were thought too dumb.

The novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee has numerous examples of how Jim Crow Laws were enforced

throughout the Deep South. The novel is set in the 1930's, a time when racism was very prevalent. Although bigotry and

segregation were pointed in majority towards blacks, other accounts towards whites were also heard of, though not as

commonly. There are acts that are so discreet that you almost don't catch them, but along with those, there are blatant acts

of bigotry that would hopefully never occur in our time. Lee addresses many of these feelings in her novel.

One subtle example of discrimination the reader sees is the treatment of Calpurnia, a black woman, the

housekeeper/nanny for the Finch family. Although she is treated fairly, it is obvious that she is considered to be on a lower

social level than the Finches. She calls Scout ma'am and Jem sir, although these are titles usually reserved for elders.

"Hush your mouth, sir! When you oughta be hangin' your head in shame you go along laughin'. If Mr. Finch don't wear you out, I will - get in that house, sir!" (Lee, 210) When Atticus takes Calpurnia to Tom Robinson's home, she has to sit in the back seat so as not to appear as Atticus's

equal. She does not eat at the same table with the Finch family although she has been a part of it since Jem was two. She is

He pretended to be a drunk so he didn't have to explain the fact that he was simply in love with a black woman. The alcohol, he said, gave the people an excuse to say he didn't know what he was doing. These sorts of relationships were

absolutely taboo at this time. It just wasn't accepted. Aunt Alexandra displayed an act of discrimination against her own

race when she forbade Scout to have Walter Cunningham over for lunch.

"I'll tell you why," she said. "Because he is trash, that's why you can't play with him. I'll not have you around him, picking up

his habits and learning Lord-knows-what. You're enough of a problem to your father as it is." (Lee, 227)

The Finch family owned Finch's Landing and could trace their heritage back to almost the beginning of their bloodline.

Aunt Alexandra thought, because of her heritage, that she and her family were better than everyone else. This showed that

some whites of this era weren't only bigoted against the blacks; they felt the same toward anyone who was even a little bit

different than themselves. People still tend to do this today. People with money are always suspecting of lower classes. If

they have something that someone else can't afford but they want, they think that they would steal from them to get it.

The theme of prejudice is almost the sole basis of this book. Throughout the novel, we see each separate person and his

personal narrow-mindedness. We also see how each person eventually opens his eyes and sees the light. For instance, Aunt

Alexandra sees that Walter is a human being and deserving of respect as she is. She also learns not to judge Atticus for the

ways in which he raises his children and to let Scout be a child while she can. This is evident on both counts while in a

conversation with Atticus Aunt Alexandra says, "I've been wrong, Atticus. I've been so very wrong." We see each character

at his weakest and watch as he grows stronger and more accepting.

You can call it racism, narrow-mindedness, bigotry or intolerance. No matter how you sugar coat it with words, it is

wrong. In this novel, we see a black man put on trial for a crime he clearly did not commit. This is an excellent example of

how much this country has overcome and matured. We see how badly mistaken we were and how we never want to get back

into that type of lifestyle. People were so afraid of what everyone else would've thought that they chose the verdict that the

public wanted, not what they felt in their hearts. It was easy for the people of Maycomb County to embrace Jim Crow Laws

because most of them were uneducated, complacent and fearful of change. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Romeo & Juliet 5-Paragraph Essay

Fate or Free Will? Do you believe in destiny or do you believe that life’s outcome is strictly the result of choice and circumstance? Are Romeo and Juliet simply tragic heroes who are victims of their own foolish choices?Or are they star-crossed lovers who are victims of predetermined destinyand fate? Use the play Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to explore these philosophical concepts. Use examples from the play to support your point of view; Fate or Free Will? Also, explain what experiences or evidence have led you to your position on free will vs. fate?OUTLINE:I.
Introductiona. Attention Grabber (2-3
sentences)b. Thesis sentence (subject +
writer’s opinion about the subject)

II. Main point #1 to support the thesis sentence (Becomes Topic Sentence)a. Concrete Detail to support main point #1i. Commentary #1ii. Commentary #2b. Concluding Sentence (reflection or comment [opinion] on concrete details III. Main point #2 to support the thesis
sentence (Becomes Topic Sentence)a. Concrete Detail to support
main point #2i. Commentary #1ii. Commentary #2b. Concluding Sentence
(reflection or comment [opinion] on concrete details IV. Main
point #3 to support the thesis sentence (Becomes Topic Sentence)a. Concrete Detail to support
main point #3i. Commentary #1ii. Commentary #2b. Concluding Sentence
(reflection or comment [opinion] on concrete details V.
Conclusion (Select at least one of the three points) Use a combinationif elaborating on one does not create an
effective closing. a. Sum up the writer’s ideasb. Reflect on what is said in
the paperc. Give a personal statement
about the paperd. Summarize, review, or
restate the thesis in different words (good ending to conclusion)

College/Career I-Search "Course of Action" Research Paper

Culmination of details & Personal Plan

I-Search College/Career portfolio and Essay DUE DATE:TUESDAY JUNE 14, 2011College/Career I-Search At-A-Glance Steps 1 – 17(Your I-Search will vary in length, but it should roughly be around 26 pages long)

Your I-Search essay will need to be a minimum of FIVE FULL PAGES (May be longer as seen in sample essay posted on page 4)and should be included in your I-Search College/Career portfolio. Typed, Double spaced, 1” Margins, Black Ink, Font -Times New Roman or Arial only. Font size 12, Include cover sheet with title and formal MLA bibliography The I-Search paper is designed to teach the writer and the reader something valuable about a chosen topic and about the nature of searching and discovery. As opposed to the standard research paper where the writer usually assumes a detached and objective stance, the I-Search paper allows you to take an active role in your search, to experience some of the hunt for facts and truths first-hand, and to provide a step-by-step record of the discovery.

The first rule of the I-Search paper is to select a topic that genuinely interests you and that you need to know more about. In this case, you will be researching a college/career that you are interested in.

The I-Search paper will be written in SIXintegrated sections:

Introduction What I know, Assume, or Imagine What I want to find outThe Search My InterviewWhat I Discovered

I. Introduction: The introduction of your essay should give your reader some indication of why you have chosen to write about this particular topic. Keep in mind that your essay needs to have some point. What message do you want to communicate to your reader. The message needs to be something more than "I want to be a ----- when I grow up." The purpose of this essay will be to inform your reader of your (1)original assumptions, (2)the information you found on your search, and (3)your discoveries.

II. What I Know, Assume, or Imagine:Before conducting any formal research, write a section in which you explain to the reader what you think you know, what you assume, or what you imagine about the college and career. There are no wrong answers here. You are basically establishing your hypothesis.

III. What I want to find out (See example below)

IV. The Search: Test your knowledge, assumptions, or conjectures by researching your paper topic thoroughly. One requirement of this assignment will be to conduct a face-to-face interview* with someone who is currently attending college or someone who has recently graduated.A second requirement will be to visit the Online resources page and investigate the abundant Internet resources available. (College Web Site / Coin3 – Careers) Other first-hand activities that may provide valuable information include writing letters, making telephone calls, visiting the Career Center, visiting the college, investigating the requirements of attending the college of your choice and the careers that will be available to you once you obtain a degree. Also, consult useful second-hand sources such as books, magazines, newspapers, films, tapes, the Internet, etc. Be sure to record all the information you gather.

Write up your search in a narrative form, relating the steps of the discovery process (this means that you are going to tell the story of what you did to research this topic and what you learned in the process). Do not feel obligated to tell everything (you don't have to tell me the boring stuff), but highlight the happenings and facts you uncovered that were crucial to your hunt and contributed to your understanding of the information.

V. My Interview (See example below)

VI. What I Discovered: After concluding your search, compare what you thought you knew, assumed, or imagined with what you actually discovered, assess your overall learning experience, and offer some personal commentary about the value of your discoveries and/or draw some conclusions. Some questions that you might consider at this stage:

How accurate were your original assumptions?What new information did you acquire?What did you learn that surprised you?Overall, what value did you derive from the process of searching and discovery?Don’t just do a question/answer conclusion. Go back to the main point you want to make with this essay. What final message do you want to leave with your readers?

You will be required to attach a formal bibliography, following the MLA format, listing the sources you consulted to write your I-Search paper. You will need to use a minimum of six different sources: 1 - interview, and 5- Internet sources. (Coin3) This means that you will have at least 6 sources in your bibliography, and I would expect to see these sources cited in the body of your paper.) There are also Internet resources that can assist you with MLA Documentationand other aspects of writing a research paper.

Keeping your audience firmly in mind will be an important key to success with this assignment. You don’t want to write this up as if it is simply a long journal entry. Think of your audience as high school seniors or freshmen in college who might also be interested in the information you have collected. Remember, writing is a form of communication, and you need to be clear in your own mind who you are trying to communicate with and what you want to communicate to those people.

When you come to class the day your I-Search is due (The last day of class, the day of your final exam) your packet should be ready to go. I will not have a stapler or paper clips with me. You need to take care of all of this before you come to class. Be sure that everything has your name on it.

Helpful Hint * When you interview someone, you are attempting to elicit as much information from that person as you possibly can. In order to accomplish this goal it is important to keep the person talking. Be sure to ask questions that will require more than a "yes" or "no" response. Here are a few suggested questions:

Tell me how you first became interested in. . .?Tell me about the path you followed to get you to this position?What suggestions would you give to someone who is pursuing this career?These are only a few basic questions to consider. I expect that since this is a career you are interested in that you will have a number of things that you are curious about. Don’t feel shy about asking questions. You will find that most people enjoy talking about their work with people who are interested in learning about it.

College/Career - I-Search Portfolio Check List

What you need to complete your College/Career I-Search (Coin3) Portfolio

General Guidelines for Formatting Your Paper

Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper,

Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font like Times Roman. The font size should be 12 pt.

Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise instructed by your instructor).

Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides. Indent the first line of a paragraph one half-inch (five spaces or press tab once) from the left margin.

Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page. Always follow your instructor's guidelines.)

Use either italics or underlining throughout your essay for the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, providing emphasis.

If you have any endnotes, include them on a separate page before your Works Cited page.

Sample College I-Search Paper

NOTE: The sample paper below primarily has to do with a career and contains very little college research.Although, your paper must include career information, the main focus of your paper should be on the college that you plan on attending. Therefore, most of your research should pertain to what you assumed college would be like and what you actually discovered it was like.

Title:Que Sera Sera [What will be will be]

Introduction - Why I chose my topic:

When I was a young girl, I decided that animals needed me. Every time I found a wounded or stray animal, I felt as though it were my duty to doctor it or find it a home. Sometimes my attempts at healing the wounds worked, but sometimes they failed miserably.What I Know, Assume, or Imagine:

Once, when I was six, I found a baby bird that had fallen out of its nest and had been abandoned by its momma. I brought it home and my mom and I fixed a little nest in a bowl for it. We put it above the kitchen stove to keep it warm. My dad came home from work that night and did not know the bird was there. He turned the stove on to fix himself a snack before bed and cooked my poor little bird!

That is when I decided that I wanted to open a shelter for homeless animals and be able to have children bring me all of the birds, cats, dogs, horses, pigs, cows, sheep, etc. that they ever found. To a six year old, that was a perfectly logical thing to do so that no more birds would unknowingly get cooked.

What I want to find out:

Now that I have grown up and become a little wiser, I still want to take care of animals, but I know there is a lot more to it than just opening a shelter and telling the kids to bring me sick, homeless animals. What would I do with them? How would I know what was wrong with them? Where would I get the medicine to give them? How would I pay for the medicine if I could get it?

So, by doing this research paper, I hope to fill in some of the blanks in my mind about the details of being a veterinarian. I also hope to get a clearer idea of what fields are available to specialize in, the average salary of a veterinarian, and if experience with animals makes a difference when it comes to finding a job in whichever field I decide to specialize.

That’s what a veterinarian takes care of! If it breathes and you can see it, there is a veterinarian around somewhere that can doctor it! I hope to someday be included in the list of exceptional animal caregivers known as veterinarians.

The place I spent most of my time doing this research paper was the Cerritos Library located in the city of Cerritos, California. The staff there was most supportive in helping me locate research material. I also received several pointers from the book by Ken Marconi, entitled “The I-Search Paper”. It suggested several different questions to ask myself about what I wanted out of my career choice. I want to be able to support a family someday and give my children a few of the luxury items that I never had as a child. I want to be able to send them to Disney World if they wanted to go. I want to have a nice house instead of a cramped, two-bedroom mobile home. I want to be able to take my kids shopping for new school clothes at the beginning of the school year instead of waiting for the items to go on sale at KMART halfway through the fall. I just want a better life for my family than the one I had growing up. That is what I want from my career choice. And I am willing to work harder than the average bear to accomplish my goal.

To become a veterinarian, you must go through eight years of college. That is a long time to someone who is only a high school freshman! I will be going to Cerritos Community for the first two years, then I will transfer to the University of Davis for two more years. The next four years will be spent at a veterinary college. That is, if I get lucky enough to get accepted. I don’t know what I will do if I get turned down. I guess I will apply to be a veterinary assistant somewhere.

The first question I wanted answered was “how much money does a veterinarian make?” One of the librarians directed me to the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11 Edition published by the Dept. of Labor Statistics Bureau. It stated that…..

New veterinary medical college graduates who enter the

Federal Government usually start at $35,808…The average

annual salary for veterinarians in the Federal Government

in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions

was $67,482 in 2001. (276)

I still wanted a little more information on the salary issue, so I went to the “Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance” 18th Edition, Vol.4. The salary range it gave was from $27,800 to $81,200.

O.K., maybe I was a little hasty in my choice of being a country vet! But I still have a long way to go before I have to make a choice, so I can still explore many other options. Maybe, in the end, it won’t be the money that determines my final choice.

A. Write an topic sentence, explaining what college course work you need to obtain a degree in the profession that you have selected. Also explain what the job duties of your career entail.

B. Give a short summary of how you obtained your research.

C. Explain the purpose of your research paper. Why is it important to you to learn more about college and career?

D. Discuss college preparation for your career.

E. Talk about the most important questions that you had about your career. Also explain your sources of information. Example: How much money does the occupation pay? _____________________________________________________________________________________________The Search -BODY OF YOUR I-SEARCH PAPER - Part 2

I have always had a high respect for veterinarians. Vets have the ability to diagnose, treat, and most of the time, cure something that can only speak to them with their eyes, tails, and body actions.

Through this research, I found out that being a veterinarian doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be stuck in a little clinic, taking care of dogs and cats all day. There are lots of different kinds of veterinarians. For instance, I found that I could be a Veterinary Anatomist. That is someone that studies the form and structure of animals. Or I could be a Veterinary Epidemiologist. That is someone that studies or treats skin diseases in animals. This is only a couple of types of veterinarians. For a more complete listing, you can look in the “Dictionary of Occupational Titles”, 4th Edition, Vol. 1.

I spoke with many people in the Los Angeles, California area, and asked them what kind of veterinarian this area needed. All of them were quick to respond “one that will make house calls!” In Los Angeles, California , they have just that. In an article in the Long Beach Press Telegram, Aug.19, 2010, it tells us of “a veterinarian named (what else?) MacDonald, that runs Veterinary House-Call Services.” MacDonald says, “By treating patients in their homes, I gain insight into health issues that might affect them”(MacDonald).

Also, many of the people that need house-calls for their pets, are elderly. My grandmother lives in a Senior Citizen apartment complex. There are quite a few of the residents that have dogs. They say that they often have trouble getting to the vets office because of their own health issues. So for them, a mobile vet could possibly be the difference between the life and death of their pet.

The area of veterinary care I am most interested in right now, is the care of large animals, such as farm animals. If I choose to be a large animal vet, I know I will be subjected to many different, sometimes unpleasant, working conditions. The “Occupational Outlook Handbook” says….

I wanted to get some first-hand information from local veterinarian, Dr. Donald Gibson, D.V.M., so I took advantage of the college library once again and used their computer study lab to create an interview packet. I had to decide which questions would benefit me the most to have answered. And, once again, the I-Search Paper(Marconi) came into use. It helped me come up with some great interview questions. I had an appointment to interview Dr. Gibson today at 5p.m., but when I went to his office, he was still so busy that he did not have time for the interview. I am supposed to go back tomorrow and pick up the completed interview packet.

Here are the questions that I put in the packet:

Do you think there is a particular type of person that becomes a vet?

Are the hours involved worth the pay?

Is there more paperwork than animal care?

What is involved in starting your own practice?

Do you have to work for someone else before you can open your own clinic?

Is it hard to get people to trust you with their animals?

Do you have to do a lot of surgery?

Do you think it is easier to take care of large animals, such as farm animals, or small house pets?

What kind of community involvement should a potential veterinary student participate in?

What advice would you give to someone just starting college with the intentions of becoming a veterinarian, and would the advice be the same for a young person as it would be for someone that wasn’t getting started until they were older (such as 39).

What kind of insurance do veterinarians have to carry?

What happens to the animals that die while in a vets care?

And, finally,

If I don’t make it all the way through college, could you use another assistant?

Thank you so much for your time.

Maybe someday I will be able to put the letters D.V.M. after my name, too!!

Sincerely,

Amanda Reckonwith—student at CHS

I finally cornered Dr. Gibson and got several questions answered:

“Do you think there is a particular type of person that becomes a vet?” Yes, there is a great deal of school involved, which requires a determined and hardworking individual.”

“Are the hours involved worth the pay?” “Most of the time.”

“Is there more paperwork than animal care?” “No.”

“What is involved in starting your own practice?”

“Do you have to work for someone else before starting your own practice?” “No.”

“Is it hard to get people to trust you with their animals?” “Not usually.”

“Do you have to do a lot of surgery?” “No, it’s your choice.”

“Do you think it is easier to take care of large animals, such as farm animals, or small house pets?” “Small animals.”

“What kind of community involvement should a potential veterinary student participate in?” “Volunteering is important in all parts of life, but anything with animals would be good. Fairs, pet shows, pets to nursing homes, etc.”

“What advice would you give to someone just starting college with the intentions of becoming a veterinarian, and would the advice be the same for a young person as it would be for someone that wasn’t getting started until they were older (such as 39)?” “Work hard! Get experience in the fields of interest.”

“What kind of insurance do veterinarians have to carry?” “Malpractice. Others include disability, workers comp.”

“What happens to the animals that die while in a vets care?” “They are either returned to their owners, or they receive a proper burial.”

I do intend on going back to Dr. Gibson and getting more in-depth answers to these questions when he is not quite so busy. After I become a vet, I will be sure and take the time to answer any questions a potential veterinary student comes to ask me.

What I Discovered:

By doing the research for this paper, I have discovered that I want to be a veterinarian more than ever. I now know I have more options available than just being a country vet. I know I can make a good life for my family and possibly send my youngest son to college with the pay a veterinarian makes. But most important of all is the happiness and self-satisfaction I will have, knowing I finally made a dream come true for the little girl that cried over a baby bird.

Surprising Jobs that Pay $25 an Hour

Career websites typically compile a listing of jobs that pay $25 an hour. The list of professions -- and the career training you need to pass the muster of recruiters -- can be daunting. But you don't necessarily need a post-graduate degree to qualify for a job that pays several hundred dollars a day.While it may be true that helicopter pilots, high-tech administrators, and civil engineers earn $25 an hour or more, so do many other professionals in careers that require only an associate or bachelor's degree to leap onto the playing field.

Of course, you add to your hourly earnings by continuing your education, taking certification courses or advanced degrees that ultimately boost on-the-job responsibilities along with earnings.

Seven careers you might have overlooked paid workers $25 an hour in 2008, meaning you may be able to earn more performing the same role today. These 2008 salaries may also rise by the time you complete an online degree or career training program to pursue future job openings. Let's look at the education you'll need to land a job:

Electrical and Electronic Engineering TechnicianCompanies that design, test, and sell electrical and electronics devices need professionals to staff their labs. You won't need a master's degree in engineering to earn good wages. Most engineering technicians complete associate degrees in engineering at trade schools or community colleges to prepare for the field. In 2008, the mean hourly wage for engineering technicians was $25.96, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Human Resources RecruiterIn many cases, you can earn more an hour placing people in jobs than the salaries they'll receive when hired. That's what you call economic irony. And, if you remain in your human resources (HR) job, you may be able to build a hefty network and open your own personnel consulting company. To get going, enroll in an associate's or bachelor's degree program in business or human resources. In 2008, HR recruiters took home $25.90 an hour.

Paralegal or Legal AssistantAttorneys that represent clients in local, state, and federal courts are swamped with research and paperwork duties. Hence, jobs for paralegals are expected to grow by 22 percent during the 2006-2016 decade. You can prepare by attending an online associate's or bachelor's degree program in paralegal studies. In 2008, paralegals earned just below $25 an hour ($23.46). However, top earners took home $73,450 for the year, making this a solid investment in a two-year education.

Respiratory TherapistBreathe easy. Depending on the employer, many a respiratory therapist can land a job with as little as a two-year degree. More often, however, hospitals are looking for a bachelor's or master's degree to advance in the profession. All states require licensing. Job openings are projected to grow by 19 percent from 2006-2016. In 2008, respiratory therapists earned $25.55 an hour.

Police OfficerThe physical requirements for a police officer's job are now legendary, thanks to the entertainment media. But with most agencies requiring new recruits to take departmental training, the baseline classroom training provided by an online associate's degree in law enforcement or criminal justice can greatly improve your chances of landing a job. In 2008, police officers and sheriff's deputies earned $25.39 and hour. And that's not counting shift differential compensation or overtime.

Advertising Sales AgentWith Americans becoming more cautious about their spending, companies are relying more than ever on well-placed advertising. Advertising sales agents take jobs with agencies, media companies, and corporate promotions departments. If you love closing a deal and being compensated for it, then enroll in an undergraduate degree program in advertising, journalism, public relations, business, communications, or new media. In 2008, advertising sales agents took home $25.56 an hour.

Interior DesignerMore than 25 percent of all interior designers are self-employed. You're the boss and set your own hours. Jobs for the other 75 percent of working interior designers are predicted to rise by 19 percent during the 2006-2016 decade. You can prepare for the role by enrolling in an associate's or bachelor's degree program at a college or professional trade school. Or shoot for the stars and take classes in interior set design to work in the entertainment industry. Hourly pay for interior designers in 2008 averaged $24.53, just below the $25/hr mark.

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